Guest Accounts

Guests to the York University Libraries wishing to use library workstations will need to set up a guest account for computer access. A “guest” is any visitor to the Libraries who is not a current York University student or faculty or staff member. York University alumni and holders of external borrower cards are also considered guests for the purpose of library computer access. Because our public workstations provide access to licensed e-resources and to the Internet, the identity of users needs to be recoverable if necessary.

Guest accounts for individuals

Individual guests may request a one-day Library Guest Account at the Building Services Desk and the AskUs/Circulation Desk in the Scott Library. Guest Accounts can also be obtained at the Circulation Desks in the branch libraries (the Peter F. Bronfman Business Library, the Leslie Frost Library at the Glendon campus, and the Steacie Science and Engineering Library). In order to obtain a Guest Account, a guest must present a valid (not expired) piece of government-issued photo ID (excluding a health card) such as a driver’s license, a permanent resident card, a BYID card, or a passport. An account will then be created, which can be used on campus workstations until the end of the day. A guest may use a Guest Account on most library computers otherwise requiring an File Access Service (FAS) login.

A Guest Account may be created for a high school student if that student is at least 16 years of age and presents government-issued photo ID. For any high school student under the age of 16 or, without appropriate ID, a parent or guardian will need to obtain a Guest Account that the minor could use under the parent’s or guardian’s active supervision.

FAS accounts for visiting scholars

Visiting scholars (usually faculty members from other institutions) who plan to do research in the Libraries for a period of more than a few days are strongly encouraged to ask the Chair or Director of a York University research unit (e.g., an academic department or research centre) with which they have a relationship, to arrange for a File Access Service (FAS) guest account for the duration of their visit to York.

The sponsoring unit will need to complete the sponsored guest account form. A minimum of 48 hours will be needed for generation of the account.

Guest accounts for visiting classes

For groups, such as high school classes or Faculty of Education Additional Qualifications classes, Guest Accounts will be created for the day of the group visit to the Libraries. With sufficient notice (at least 48 hours in advance of the visit), a Libraries’ Information Literacy Coordinator will be able to arrange accounts for the class. Please see our list of Information Literacy Coordinators (library instruction contacts). For high school teachers wishing to bring their class to the Libraries, please see our general information page.